My research has centered on aging in the context of intergenerational family relationships; with a particular focus on family caregiving. Published work in this area includes studies of coping styles and strategies employed by adult children caring in caring for aged parents, predictors of subjective and objective burden in caring for loved ones afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, comparisons of older husbands and wives caring for dependent spouses in in-home versus institutional settings, and the role of gender and generational relationship on caregiver outcomes. My most recent research focuses on the impact of acculturation and marginalization on the well-being of Mexican American caregivers, and the role of religiosity in Hispanic families caring for elderly parents.

As will also be the case nationally, Wisconsin’s elderly population is projected to more than double by 2035, when 22% of the state’s residents will be age 65 or older. Population aging will impact families, communities, and places of employment. Because most people desire to age in place, population aging poses the challenge of creating environments that are “aging-friendly”. My current engagement activities center on helping communities assess the extent to which they are aging-friendly places where people can grow old without having to re-locate. I am also involved in providing resources designed to help employers develop workplace environments that accommodate the needs of employees who often struggle to balance work and the responsibilities involved in caring for elderly loved ones who are frail and dependent.